Order of the Arrow Elections

September 1 - November 16, 2015

Once each year, a Troop or Team may hold a unit election to elect youth members of their troop or team to become members of the Order of the Arrow. Both youth and adult Scouts and Scouters can become members of the OA, but only youth members are elected. Assistant Scoutmasters under the age of 21 are considered youth members for OA purposes. New members are voted on by every youth member of the troop present at the election - not just the OA members.

Elections are normally held at a regular troop meeting, and take about half an hour to complete. In order for an election to be held, at least 50% of your active youth members must be present – if less than 50% are present, the election must be rescheduled.

The OA elections must be completed by the OA chapter election team with support of unit Arrowmen, OA troop/team representative and unit leader.

Contact the chapter adviser to schedule an unit election and request the election forms.

Colonneh Lodge follows all Order of the Arrow policies contained in the Guide to Officers and Advisers (see pages 20 - 23 for membership and election information).

Camping Requirement for Elections Clarified

The revised youth camping requirement is:

Have experienced 15 nights of Boy Scout camping while registered with a troop or team within the two years immediately prior to the election. The 15 nights must include one, but no more than one, long-term camp consisting of at least five consecutive nights of overnight camping, approved and under the auspices and standards of the Boy Scouts of America. Only five nights of the long-term camp may be credited toward the 15-night camping requirement; the balance of the camping (10 nights) must be overnight, weekend, or other short-term camps of, at most, three nights each.

The revised camping requirement applies to all candidates for youth and adult membership in the Order of the Arrow, but is subject to waiver for district/council Scouters as set forth in the Guide for Officers and Advisers. ​Source

The Order of the Arrow membership requirements are:

Be a registered member of the Boy Scouts of America.

After registration with a troop or team, have experienced 15 days and nights of Boy Scout camping during the two-year period prior to the election. The 15 days and nights must include one, but no more than one, long-term camp consisting of six consecutive days and five nights of resident camping, approved and under the auspices and standards of the Boy Scouts of America. The balance of the camping must be overnight, weekend, or other short-term camps.

Youth must be under the age of 21, hold the BSA First Class rank or higher, and following approval by the Scoutmaster or Varsity team Coach, be elected by the youth members of their troop or team.

Adults (age 21 or older) who are registered in the BSA and meet the camping requirements may be selected following nomination to the lodge adult selection committee. Adult selection is based on their ability to perform the necessary functions to help the Order fulfill its purpose, and is not for recognition of service, including current or prior positions. Selected adults must be an asset to the Order because of demonstrated abilities, and must provide a positive example for the growth and development of the youth members of the lodge.